New series of Art Bites released

Four new Art Bites documentaries helmed by emerging director and producer teams will launch on the ABC Arts channel on iview today.

Each 6 x 5 minute documentary web series received a direct investment of $60,000 from Screen Australia and ABC to make their series, with the initiative acting as a launch pad for new filmmakers to tell stories that resonate with younger audiences on a digital platform.

The projects are bite-size, bingeable masterpieces that will make you laugh, cry and explore the importance of artistic expression.

Carla and Lisa’s Countdown

Carla and Lisa Wherby

Auburn-based artists and twins Carla and Lisa Wherby, are besotted fans and collectors of Australian popular art and culture. Invited to enter the National Self-Portrait Prize, this series captures them meeting their art heroes from pop artist Martin Sharp to artist and musician Reg Mombassa. The twins gain unprecedented access to the archives of the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) and share a lifetime of treasured anecdotes.

Directed by Ludwig El Haddad who is an art educator at AGNSW, and produced by Barry Gamba. Watch on iview

Lessons from a Middle Class Artist

Matt Farley and Anthony Frith

Anthony Frith, a failed musician from Adelaide, travels to America to learn how to make money off music from prolific online novelty song writer Matt Farley. This heart-warming comedy follows Anthony as he discovers his style and creativity, and ponders if this is his path to artistic success.

Directed by Frith (The Worst Alien in the World), produced by Rebecca Elliott (Michelle’s Story, The Worst Alien in the World) and executive produced by Rebecca Summerton. Watch on iview

Mirror

Lilli Waters

In this powerful series, six Australian artists embark on a nostalgic journey back to a significant place from their past to confront memories that will inspire a self-portrait work. Directed by Brodie Poole, whose short film Flight of the Buffalo was selected for Sydney Film Festival in 2015, and produced by Kate Paul, who was recently selected by Screen Producers Australia for their 2017 Ones to Watch program. Watch on iview

Unboxed

Sam Matthews

Filmmaker and trans rights advocate Sam Matthews sets out to meet other gender-diverse Australian artists, challenging each of them to create a new artwork based on the theme “Unboxed”. Each artist explores the prominent role artistic expression has played in their lives.

Directed by Matthews, produced by Kirsty Stark (Wastelander Panda) and Rebecca Elliott. Watch on iview

Screen Australia and ABC Arts are currently calling for proposals from early career filmmakers for the third series of Art Bites. Applications close 20 April 2018. More details about how to apply are available here